Seaside Heartbeats: A Sweet Romance (The Seaside Hunters Book 2)

by Stacy Claflin

  Twenty Three

  Brayden wiped spaghetti sauce from his mouth and looked across the table at Lana. It warmed his heart to see her at his parents' dinner table. She talked easily with them, laughing and joking. They seemed to genuinely like her, and he didn't realize how much their approval meant until he saw it in action.

  It had been a full week since they had gone to the caves. None of them had brought it up since then. They'd all been skittish, even Cruz, who was almost never rattled by anything, but after a few days with no more break-ins—and their parents' new security system—the three of them had relaxed.

  On Brayden's last day off from work, he'd taken Lana to a concert on the beach and then out for ice cream. It had been the perfect light-hearted date. He'd seen her every day he could after work. One day, when she'd had a follow-up visit in his clinic, with a new doctor, she insisted on waiting ninety minutes until his lunch hour so they could eat together.

  "When do I get to meet the other brothers?" Lana asked.

  "Actually," his mom said with a curious tone that caught Brayden's attention, "Zachary's going to be on his way back soon. He's going to drive, and expects to return in the next week or so."

  "He's moving back in with us," his dad said.

  "Now we just need to convince Rafael to return home, and we'll have all our boys back." His mom beamed.

  "Zachary's moving back?" Jake asked.

  "Things aren't working out in the Big Apple?" asked Cruz.

  "We're not entirely sure," his mom said, "and I wasn't about to question it. I've been getting his room ready all day."

  Everyone spoke excitedly, talking over each other. Brayden looked back over at Lana. She smiled at him, warming him to the core.

  Soon, the meal was over and everyone helped to clean. It was a tradition his mom had begun when Brayden was young. With so many people eating meals, she refused to be the only one to clean up. As much as they had all moaned and complained in their teen years, now they enjoyed it. It had turned into an extended part of the feasting experience, practically becoming a game to see if they could get everything cleaned up faster than the last time.

  "Who wants to play a board game?" his mom asked, once the kitchen sparkled.

  "I do," Lana said. "I haven't played one in years. What do you have?"

  Before long, they were sitting back at the table, this time around a Scrabble board. Everyone coupled off, except Cruz who seemed happy working on his own.

  After a couple rounds, Jake and Tiffany had to go because Tiffany couldn't stay awake. Brayden's mom gushed over her, sending her home with more food, insisting that she eat a lot for herself and the first grand-baby. She couldn't have been more excited about being a grandma.

  It brought Brayden joy seeing her eyes light up again. They hadn't done that since Sophia's passing, and Brayden had worried that he would never see that side of her again. He knew that his sister watched from somewhere, smiling at their mom's newfound happiness.

  "We should go, too," Brayden said. "I want to take Lana to see something."

  "You'll be back soon, right?" his mom asked.

  "Of course. Let me know when Zachary arrives, and I'll stop by to give him a proper welcome."

  Her face lit up. "It's so good to have everyone returning to Kittle Falls. I'll have to call Rafael. Maybe he'll at least come up for another visit."

  Brayden gave her a hug. "I'm sure he'll return, too."

  Everyone exchanged hugs, and soon he and Lana climbed into his car.

  "Your family is great," she said. "I can definitely see how you turned out so wonderful."

  "I think you're pretty fantastic yourself." He started the car and put it in gear, but didn't pull out of the spot.

  "Where are we going?"

  "Nowhere in particular. I just wanted you to myself." He looked over at her, seeing her cheeks flushed. "Is there anywhere in town you want to go? A dessert place you've never tried?"

  "Anywhere I can keep looking at you is fine by me."

  He took her hand and kissed the back of it. "I couldn't agree more—about looking at you, that is."

  Lana rubbed his palm. "Do you have any suggestions? You know this place better than me."

  "You've been here a while. More than most tourists."

  She stared into his eyes. Brayden got the feeling she wanted to say something, but held back.

  "Well, actually," he said, "if you really don't mind, I'd like to stop by the abandoned hardware store. I haven't been there in a while and I keep thinking about it being the perfect location for my clinic."

  "I'd love to. I've been thinking about the urgent care layout, and I have an idea that I think you'll be excited about."

  She'd been planning for his clinic even more? His heart nearly jumped out of his chest. He put the car in park and pressed his lips against hers. She smelled sweet and he wanted more. He couldn't wait around and let this relationship go the way of every other tourist-local one. Somehow, he had to win her over so she would stay in Kittle Falls. He'd move mountains if he had to.

  He pulled back, getting lost in her deep blue eyes. "You're perfect, do you know that?" he asked. "You couldn't improve in any way."

  "Oh, stop." Her cheeks darkened.

  "I mean it, Lana. My life is so much better with you in it. I can't imagine it without you…and I hope you feel the same way."

  She stared into his eyes. He wanted her to say something—anything—after he'd put his heart out there like that. She leaned forward and grazed her lips against his. Then she pressed harder, leaning closer to him. Brayden's heart sped up. He ran his hands over her silky soft hair.

  After only a moment, she pulled back and looked at him adoringly. "I feel the same way. I'm the luckiest person alive because of you. I'm actually glad I had that SVT episode. I'd go through it all again just to make sure I met you."

  If she kept talking like that, they might not end up going anywhere else for their date. He put his arms around her and pulled her close, kissing her again, this time deeper, while simultaneously making sure she didn't jam her side into the gear shift. Lana's hair fell into his face, tickling him, but Brayden didn't move it out of the way.

  A knock on the window startled him. They both sat back in their own seats. Cruz stood outside Brayden's door. "Get a room!"

  Lana laughed and Brayden waved Cruz away. He put the car in gear and pulled out onto the street. "To the hardware store?"

  She ran her fingers through her hair. "Yeah. I want to tell you about my plans."

  They went to the rundown building, and Brayden parked across the street. The night sky was light enough to see everything they needed to see. She pointed here and there, explaining her ideas for the waiting room, reception area, and everything else. He could barely pay attention—all he could think about was their kiss and how badly he wanted more.

  She said something about two waiting rooms and he snapped to attention.

  "The way I look at it," she said, "is that there are basically two kinds of emergencies. Those that are contagious, and those that aren't. There could be an entrance for sick people—those with flus and colds, and then another one for broken bones, heat exhaustion, and other ailments that no one can catch. What do you think?"

  Brayden thought about it. "Actually, it's brilliant. I don't know why no one has thought about that before."

  She beamed and talked more about what they could do with the building, and even how they could make it child-friendly. "I like the fountain at the hospital. Something like that would be helpful because it provides a nice distraction from whatever people are there for."

  He stared at her, unable to speak. She was better than perfect and he would do anything to keep her in town. He wrapped his arm around her and they shared ideas until the sun hid from sight.

  "I should get back," she said. "I could stay here forever with you, but I promised my parents I'd spend some time with them."

  Brayden didn't want to take her back. As selfish as he kne
w it was, he wanted to be greedy with her. Instead, he took a deep breath and said, "No problem. I'm just glad you're taking such an interest in my dream."

  "It's such a wonderful idea." She stood on her toes and kissed him. Brayden pulled her close, enjoying their final moments together for the evening.

  Before he knew it, Brayden found himself walking back to his car after another mind-blowing goodbye kiss at the front door of her house. Absentmindedly, he pulled into the street and headed toward his condo. His gaze kept wandering to the stores along the road—a pancake house, a grill, a family restaurant, a shop full of knick-knacks…

  A jeweler.

  That was it. He pulled into the nearest empty parking space and ran to the jewelry store. The owner inside turned off the lights. Brayden ran through the door. "Wait!"

  "Yes?" The lights came back on.

  Heart pounding, Brayden said, "I want to see your engagement rings."

  "Gladly. You're one of the Hunter boys aren't you?"

  "Brayden Hunter."

  "Ah, yes. The cardiologist. I'm honored to have your patronage." He held out his hand. "I'm Stephen Roberts."

  Brayden shook his hand, and then Stephen led him to a large display of rings. "These are the ones we have on hand." He chuckled. "Sorry. I love that play on words. Anyway, if none of these are what you're looking for, I can order others. They'll arrive in just a day or two."

  Brayden studied the sparkling collection. They would all look beautiful on Lana's hand, but he couldn't decide which was the best.

  "Can't decide?" Stephen asked.

  "They're all nice, but I'm not sure they're what I had in mind."

  "Are you looking for something a little more extravagant, doctor?"

  Brayden nodded.

  Stephen pulled a key from his pocket and unlocked something from behind the counter. He pulled out a tray and set it on the counter. Resting on black velvet sat half a dozen rings with large, especially-bright diamonds.

  "That's more like it," he whispered.

  "You can pick them up."

  One with heart-shaped diamond pavé around the center stone caught his eye. Brayden picked it up and held it in his palm. It was gorgeous—almost as beautiful as Lana herself. "How much is this one?"

  Stephen wrote down a number on a piece of paper.

  "Dollars?" Brayden asked, feeling the sticker shock. That would take a huge chunk from his savings.

  "Certainly not yen." Stephen smiled.

  Brayden took a deep breath. Move mountains. "Do you have payment plans? And what about insurance?"

  "Of course, Dr. Hunter. I'll add that into the payment. We can break it up…." Stephen explained the various options, and before long, Brayden found himself signing papers. He'd opted for the two-year plan because all his money was tied up in the urgent care clinic. As it was, he would need to take extra shifts, but it was all worth it.

  As Stephen got a gorgeous box ready, he asked, "Will this need to be sized?"

  Brayden hadn't even thought of sizing. "I…I'm not sure."

  "No worries. Find out the size, and bring it back here to be fixed."

  Pulse racing, Brayden nodded.

  Twenty Four

  Lana peeked out the window for the twentieth time that minute.

  "It's five minutes before you said he'd be here," Cora said. "He's always right on time. Relax."

  "I can't help it." Lana walked over to the kitchen where her sister stood at the stove making macaroni and cheese for the boys. "I miss him. He's had to work overtime lately. I guess the ER has been understaffed or something. He works in his clinic all day and then goes into the ER straight away."

  "You have to admire him for being a hard worker," Cora said as she dumped the water and noodles into a strainer.

  "I do. I'm just going crazy. Being away from him is nothing short of torture."

  "You're so cute."

  Lana looked at the time. Three more minutes.

  "Where are you guys going this afternoon?"

  "To a quiet beach. I think he's tired of being around people so much. He was really excited about going to that one beach I told you about."

  "That one known only by the locals?" Cora asked, pouring milk into the pot.

  "Yeah." Lana went back over to the window.

  "Still no Brayden?"

  "Not yet."

  "You should be the one to make him wait. Go upstairs and fix your hair."

  Lana felt her hair. "What's wrong with it?"

  "Nothing, but—"

  "He's here!"

  Nolan and Ryder ran over to her, calling out Brayden's name.

  "I think you have competition," Cora joked.

  "And he adores them." Lana ruffled Ryder's hair as he nearly climbed Lana's leg to reach the top lock.

  "Run upstairs," Cora commanded. "Make sure he knows he has to wait for you. You're worth it."

  Lana rolled her eyes.

  "I'm serious."

  "Cora, I can't wait. I have to see him, and waiting for him to ring the bell is driving me crazy."

  "You're impossible." Cora shook her head. "Boys, lunch is ready."

  "I wanna play with Brayden." Nolan pouted.

  "Me, too." Ryder continued to climb up Lana's leg.

  "Boys," Cora warned.

  The doorbell rang, and Lana couldn't answer it fast enough. She'd already disengaged the alarm fifteen minutes before.

  Nolan threw himself against Brayden as soon as the door opened. Ryder let go of Lana and climbed up Brayden, instead.

  He laughed. "What a greeting." He pulled a dozen red roses from behind his back. "For you." He handed them to Lana.

  She gasped. "They're gorgeous." Lana looked at them, and not one had a single flaw. Without needing to bring them to her face, she could smell their perfection. "Thank you. Come inside." Lana stepped back so Brayden could walk in with the two appendages clinging to him.

  "Let me see," Cora said. "Oh, those are beautiful. I think I saw a vase in here somewhere." She took the pot off the burner and turned it off before rummaging through cabinets. "Here we are. This is perfect—I think it's real crystal." She rinsed it out and filled it with water.

  Lana arranged the flowers in it, while watching Brayden with the boys from the corner of her eyes. He was already on the floor, wrestling with them. His white button-down shirt would be wrinkled, but Lana didn't care. The fact that he didn't either made him even more appealing.

  "Boys, your food is getting cold," Cora said. "Besides, Auntie Lana and Brayden have plans that don't include us."

  "Oh," whined Ryder.

  "No fair," complained Nolan.

  Brayden stood, helping the boys up. "You guys listen to your mama. It'll make you into better men when you grow up."

  "That's right," Cora said. "Listen to him. He's wise beyond his years."

  Nolan and Ryder headed for the table. Ryder turned around. "Bye, Uncle Brayden!"

  "Yeah," said Nolan, "bye-bye, Uncle Brayden."

  Lana's heart jumped into her throat. Uncle Brayden. She loved the way it rolled off their tongues. She and Cora exchanged a look before Lana turned back to Brayden. She fixed his shirt which stuck out in a funny direction from wrestling.

  He took her hand, neither mentioning the boys' comments.

  "I'll put the roses somewhere safe," Cora called out. "Have fun, you two."

  They all exchanged goodbyes and then Lana and Brayden left.

  When they settled into his car, Lana said, "I've really missed you. I got used to you stopping by after work."

  "I'm sure I won't have to work the extra shifts at the ER forever." He seemed a little distracted, but Lana hardly noticed. She was too excited about actually seeing him. Brayden had somehow become even more handsome since their last date.

  She stared at him the entire drive to the secluded beach. She might not see him again for half a week again after the date. She needed to get as much of him as she could while he was there.

  When they arrived, Bra
yden opened her door and took her hand, slipping his fingers through hers. They walked to the shore in silence as a slight breeze pushed her hair into her face and blew her skirt around her legs.

  "It's a beautiful day," Lana said.

  Brayden stopped and turned toward her. "Nowhere near as breathtaking as you."

  She stared at him, unable to speak. He cupped her face and kissed her lightly, lingering for only a moment. Lana wanted more. She was sure she could never get enough of him.

  Lana kissed him eagerly. He ran his fingers down her bare arms, and then took her hands again. He pulled away. "Let's walk by the shore."

  Her heart skipped a beat at the intensity of his voice. She nodded, letting go of one hand and turning so they could walk to the water. The breeze picked up slightly and birds flew over the waves, some dipping down to catch fish near the surface. It was perfect. Lana couldn't have asked for a better date.

  When they reached the shore, Brayden stopped walking about a foot from the water. Lana's hair continued to whip in her face.

  Brayden reached over and pulled it behind her ears. He looked into her eyes.

  Was it her imagination, or was he paler than normal?

  "Lana, you're gorgeous," he said, his voice serious. "Your beauty is what first drew me to you. But your generosity and joyfulness has kept me wanting to know more." He swallowed, seeming nervous. "Every time we're together, I find something new and exciting about you. You have a sense of adventure and a love for life that inspires me."

  Her heart nearly leaped into her throat. She couldn't speak, though she wanted to tell him much she adored him, too.

  Brayden took a deep breath. "Now that you're in my life, I never want to let you go. Lana, I love you."

  She opened her mouth to speak, but Brayden put a finger to her lips.

  "Let me finish. I love you, and I know this is probably going to sound crazy, but I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I can't live without you." He dropped down to one knee and dug into his pants pocket.

  Lana covered her mouth with both hands. This wasn't happening. It couldn't be.

  He pulled out the biggest, most beautiful ring she had ever seen. "Will you marry me? I promise to love you forever."